Upon graduation from college, the formal training process for becoming a Navy Officer in the Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program is officially underway.
Officer Candidate School (OCS)
For those going the Submarine or Surface Warfare Officer route, the first step is Officer Candidate School (OCS) — a 12-week course in Newport, Rhode Island. OCS is tailored to train and prepare college graduates to become commissioned as Navy line Officers — specifically, Submarine and Surface Warfare Officers (as well as Navy Aviators, Flight Officers, Special Warfare and Special Operations Officers). Officer Candidates obtain more responsibility as their training progresses and are eventually given command authority over other Officer Candidates. During the 12 weeks, individuals gradually move from Indoctrination Candidates to Officer Candidates to Candidate Officers.
Officer Candidates are assigned to battalions at the Newport Naval Station. During their 12-week training period they are instructed on leadership, physical and military training, as well as academics ranging from Navigation to Shipboard Engineering and Damage Control. Each candidate is also assigned a Chief Petty Officer and a commissioned Naval Officer to aid in his/her transformation from civilian to Candidate Officer. Candidates are also rigorously trained by Drill Instructors who challenge them on every physical level.
Officer Development School (ODS)
For those pursuing Naval Reactors Engineer or Power School Instructor roles, the first step is Officer Development School (ODS) — a five-week course in Newport, Rhode Island. ODS is tailored to train already-commissioned Officers to become staff corps Officers — specifically, Naval Reactors Engineers and Power School Instructors (as well as Medical Corps, Medical Service Corps, Dental Corps, Nurse Corps and Chaplain Corps Officers).
While not as lengthy as its OCS counterpart, ODS still heavily stresses physical and mental readiness. The course offers newly commissioned Officers a comprehensive and intense introduction to their responsibilities as Navy staff corps Officers. Over the course of five weeks, Officers learn about the military structure of the United States Navy, its rich history of traditions and customs, leadership development, and military etiquette. ODS is also physically demanding, though its requirements focus more on basic maintenance training, whereas OCS training is much more accelerated.
Unique Training Paths
Once commissioned as an Officer, candidates move on to receive the advanced training that is at the core of Navy Nuclear Propulsion. Academically, the curriculum is recognized as one of the most difficult in the world — rivaling the top-notch nuclear programs at universities such as Harvard and MIT. Experientially, the hands-on application of what is learned is in a class by itself.
To learn more about career training paths — including specifics on everything from Naval Nuclear Power School (NNPS) to Nuclear Power Training Unit to Naval Reactors Training — and to get a detailed job description, select your area of interest:
